SubZip

ABSTRACT

The SubZip is a waterproof submersible zipper with Vacuum Fit Technology. The Submersible Zipper is designed for watersports apparel and gear [ 10]  and other water related applications. The SubZip&#39;s uniquely molded construction and engineered material make it strongly suited for hardcore gear applications, while it&#39;s sleek, flexible profile and feather weight allow it to blend unnoticeably into finer apparel applications. The SubZip [ 20]  will be available in a standard black seven inch zipper as well as custom made colors and lengths. The SubZip waterproof submersible zipper will also be available in custom engineered materials. The standard zipper has a profile of less than a quarter inch and weighs less than an ounce.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of the filing date of 31 Mar. 2008, for the U.S. Provisional Patent Application to Brightman, having the Ser. No. 61/072,628.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standard zipper fasteners, like those typically found on garments and sportsgear, are great for their limited use as linear fasteners. However, they do not work well to prevent water from soaking through, even if the fabric of the garment itself is water resistant. There are extruded linear fasteners, such as is used with the trademarked Ziploc food bags. Yet, the Ziploc fastener, even with a slider, would not work well with garments and sports bags, mainly because the user would be unable to brace the fastener from within.

SUMMARY

The invention, in its simplest form, is a waterproof submersible vacuum-fit zipper. The SubZip, as it's called, is comprised of two mating parts (see FIG. 3A now) that, when engaged, create a partial vacuum. When the partial vacuum is created, a watertight, airtight seal is formed. The two mating parts fit together with such precision, and with such robust design, that the assembly also prevents capillary action.

The mating parts are made of flexible elastomer-like material that can be produced through an extrusion, or injection molding process.

The unique design allows a watertight, airtight zipper to be easily engaged (closed) and then disengaged (opened). The user simply slides the thumb and forefinger the length of the zipper to close, and then pulls on the outside of the zipper to open.

This ease of use, flexible, watertight, airtight zipper design is useful in many water related applications, such as water sports apparel and gear.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING VIEWS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in one of many possible embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a very close-up end view of the extrusions that fasten together and are comprised by the invention.

FIG. 3B is a very close-up end view of the female portion of the fastener.

FIG. 3C is a very close-up end view of the male portion of the fastener.

FIG. 4 is a very close-up perspective view of the over-molded end cap, which seals each end of the fastener.

FIG. 5 is a very close-up perspective view of the slider, which is comprised by an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention, which comprises a slider to aid in fastening.

ITEM NUMBERS

-   10 Sports Bag -   20 Fastener Assembly -   30 Female Extrusion -   31 Male Extrusion -   40 End Cap -   50 Slider

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention, as it is integrated with a durable Sports Bag 10. The SubZip 20 has been RF-welded into place within the opening of the bag, to form a watertight product. The SubZip is engineered and constructed in a way that it forms an effective seal around its entire perimeter, and between the two mating portions.

FIG. 2 shows the invention in its preferred embodiment. The SubZip comprises a Female Extrusion 30, a Male Extrusion 31, and an over-molded End Cap 40 at each end of the Fastener Assembly 20. (See FIG. 3 for a more detailed view of the extrusions, and FIG. 4 for a view from below the over-molded End Cap.)

The material that forms the extruded parts and over-molded parts is a soft elastomer-like material, between 80-90 Shore A in hardness. Suitable materials include TPU and PVC.

Note the dotted lines in FIG. 2, which indicate the locations where the End Caps are fused to the extrusions, during the over-molding process. The locations are shown as dotted lines because the SubZip is practically seamless, and the surfaces of the End Caps match those of the extrusions, to form a single surface around the entire perimeter of the SubZip above, and a single surface around the entire perimeter of the SubZip below. This provides for a hermetic seal, and an attachment area that runs 360 degrees around the zipper for installment.

This is a unique use of the over-molding process for assembly, which allows parts to be butted together to form a flat and continuous surface between parts. This saves on material costs, and on mold tooling complexity. In this case, the flat surfaces formed into the invention allow the SubZip to be bonded (in this case, RF welded) to the fabric of a garment or bag, so that a hermetic seal is possible between them. Overlapping portions, or material discontinuities, would otherwise make the step of complete sealing very difficult, if not impossible. In this usage, the over mold uses the same material as the extrusions, which is of the same durometer/hardness, 80-90 Shore A.

FIG. 3A shows one end of both mating parts, as a fastened zipper assembly. The male and female zipper profiles are extruded, in this case.

The assembly is secured with a mechanical “ball-and-socket” union (a combination of a press fit and an interference fit) as well as with a vacuum. The Female Extrusion 30 accepts the Male Extrusion 31 to form a precision fit and a vacuum-seal. The corresponding features shaped into each mating part actually force all of the air out of the assembly, and create what is called the vacuum-fit. This special fit resists separation, and bolsters the strength of the mechanical union between the two mating parts.

Also, because all of the air is removed from between the two parts upon fastening, any capillary action that would otherwise fill voids with water (or other fluid) is prevented. Another hermetic seal is produced between the two zipper extrusions.

FIG. 3B shows one of the Female Extrusion by itself.

FIG. 3C shows one of the Male Extrusion by itself.

FIG. 4 shows a view from below an End Cap 40. The End Cap is over-molded, onto the end of the zipper assembly, to form yet another hermetic seal. In this view, a cavity is visible, where the assembly of two mating extrusions fit together and are located upon molding. (The thickness of the flange on the End Cap is the same as the thickness of the flange of each of the extrusion.)

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of the Slider 50. This part may be snapped into place onto the zipper assembly at any time, once the extrusions have been mated. Although the SubZip may be closed by using two fingers alone, the Slider can be used instead.

The slider is injection-molded of a hard plastic with a low coefficient of friction, in this case, Acetal w/20% PTFE(Teflon).

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the SubZip 20, which includes the Slider 50. This view also shows the End Cap 40 on either end of the product. 

1. A press fit comprising two or more mating parts wherein, when said mating parts are engaged, they form at least a partial vacuum resistant to capillary forces, and they become fluid-tight.
 2. An assembly method comprising an over-molding process, a thermoplastic molding material, and a thermoplastic core part, wherein the molded features of said molding material butt against the core part to form a mechanical bond and a hermetic seal, upon completion of the molding process. 